Iceland is a country like no other, with exceptional landscapes and geographical phenomena. We circumnavigate the country, enjoying sightseeing in the company of our experienced guide as we learn about the huge natural forces at work here. The fissures, powerful volcanoes, geysers and lava flows, old and new, make Iceland an unforgettable destination. From the waterfalls and glaciers of the Golden Circle to the volcanic landscape of the north, this tour allows us to see first-hand the raw power and beauty of Mother Nature at work.

Highlights

Reykjavik, all Three National Parks

World Heritage sites: Thingvellir, Skaftafell and the Snaefellsnes Peninsula

Responsible Travel

At Exodus we believe in the power of Responsible Travel.

Every time we travel, we are part of a global movement that creates jobs, builds more sustainable societies, encourages cultural understanding and safeguards common natural and cultural heritage. To learn more about what Responsible Travel means to Exodus click here…

Day 2

Today we drive inland to the Thingvellir World Heritage Area, where the world's first 'democratic parliament' meeting took place - the area became Iceland's first National Park in 1928 and a World Heritage area in 2004. Sitting right on top of a major fault line it is the best place in Iceland to see the continental drift - the movement of the Eurasion and North Amercian tectonic plates. Here they are literally pulling the earth apart as they inch away from each other causing the land between to subside. Not surprisingly the area abounds with waterfalls, immense fissures and the largest lake in the country. We then carry on to see the world famous geysers. The most reliable eruption comes every 5-10 minutes from one called 'Strokkur'; the 30-metre jet of water and steam is spectacular. To round off the day we drive a short distance on to Gullfoss, a huge dramatic waterfall located in a 70m deep canyon of River Hvita (White River).

Meals included:
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner

Day 3

We head eastwards to the foot of the infamous Eyjafjallajokull Ice Cap; this area was heavily affected by ash fall during the eruption of 2010 and a great deal of ice was melted by the boiling lava. The glacier feeds many beautiful waterfalls and we visit two of them. Seljalandsfoss (60m high) and Skogafoss, one of Iceland's most majestic waterfalls, 60m high, falling in a 25m wide sheet. Continuing east, we cross the black flood-plain of Solheimasandur, before reaching the green valley of Myrdalur and continuing to Dyrholaey. This dramatic 120-metre high promontory is the southernmost point in Iceland. It is rich in birdlife, and a nesting site for Puffins and Arctic terns. If we are lucky we might see whales and seals from the promontory on calm days. We continue further east to our accommodation in Vik, Iceland's southernmost town.

Meals included:
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner

Day 4

We begin with an excursion into Skaftafell on the edge of Europe's largest ice cap, Vatnajokull. Here we have the option to climb the low hills overlooking the ice where we will be rewarded with vistas of the contrasting landscapes of mountainous icy peaks, volcanic floodplains and the distant Atlantic shore. Leaving the area we travel east to one of Iceland's most famous highlights - the Glacier Lagoon at Jokulsarlon where thousands of icebergs are separating from the country's largest glacier and are floating in the pale green sea-level lagoon. We take a walk beside the lagoon for excellent views. We then continue further east with the steep mountains of Vatnajokull on one side and the exposed south coast on the other.Basic Hotel

Meals included:
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner

Day 5

A day of scenic driving, with a number of stops as we travel through Fjord country. We start by crossing the Almannaskard Pass and leave the flat south coast as we climb into the alpine landscape of the Eastern Fjords. This stunning mountain region has been sculpted as much by glaciers as volcanic activity. The spectacular road winds from one fjord to another, passing a few farms in each fjord where there is enough flat land for hayfields. The birdlife is rich and in late summer thousands of moulting whooper swans feed in the sheltered lagoon of Alftafjordur (Swan fjord). We then continue to the town of Egilsstadir.Basic Hotel

Meals included:
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner

Day 6

Heading inland and west we pass through the starkly contrasting desert scenery of the North East Highlands and follow the track that takes us north to the enormous Dettifoss Waterfall. This is Europe's most powerful waterfall, bizarrely set in an arid area of sand and rock formations. Further north is the Asbyrgi Canyon; a phenomenal dry canyon thought to have been carved out in a single day by an immense flood wave caused by an eruption underneath the Vatnajokull Ice Cap. We walk into Asbyrgi to have a closer look at the strange lava-cliffs and view the nesting fulmars. We continue west to our guesthouse, which stands on the north border of the inland lava field, where countless springs and crystal clear streams flow from subterranean channels to the lowland of Axarfjordur.Basic Hotel

Meals included:
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner

Day 7

From Skulagardur we drive west to the steep 'fracture zone' of the eastern Tjornes Peninsula. West of Tjornes is the lively fishing village Husavik at the east side of Skjalfandi Bay. Here we have the possibility to go on an optional 3-hour whale-watching tour aboard old oak fishing boats that have been rebuilt for this purpose, a fantastic experience.

Most commonly sighted whales are Minke (seen on 92% of trips) and white beaked Dolphins (seen on 85% of trips) but with luck we may see others such as Humpbacks (29%) and even the giant Blue Whale though these truly are a rare sight. Those not whale-spotting have plenty to do around this photogenic and lively town with museums to visit, sod roof architecture to see and short walks in the surrounding hills. Husavik has a number of museums including a fascinating whale museum and museum of natural history. From Husavik we continue towards Lake Myvatn and our base for the night.Basic Hotel

Meals included:
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner

Day 8

We spend the morning exploring the fascinating geology around Lake Myvatn. Sitting on the mid-Atlantic ridge it displays some interesting geology in the form of countless small crater-like islands. Furthermore its position in the rain shadow of the Vatnajokull Ice Cap makes it statistically the driest place in Iceland. We explore the pseudo craters of Skutustadir, the mysterious lava towers and arcs of Dimmuborgir and climb (optional) the 160 metre high crater Hverfjall which was formed in a steam explosion some 2500 years ago. After the crater traverse we head to the Godafoss Waterfall en route to Akureyri. On arrival in Akureyri we take a sightseeing tour around this interesting town, nicknamed the Capital of the North.Basic Hotel

Meals included:
Breakfast
Lunch

Day 9

A free day in Akureyri. Akureyri is a town of some 17,000 inhabitants and is the biggest town outside the capital. It is the cultural, commercial and educational centre for northern Iceland and is 60 km south of the Arctic Circle. This northerly town is remarkably green and has the northernmost botanical garden in the world. For those who want an active day there are many optional activities available that can all be booked locally through our guide.

Meals included:
Breakfast

Day 10

An early start as we have a long drive (5-6 hrs) west to the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, our base for the next two nights. Along the way we visit a reconstructed Viking house once home to Eirik the Red and his son Leif Eiriksson - the two most famous travelling Vikings. The 'Eirikstadir' gives an interesting insight to way of life for the early settlers and an introduction to the historic tradition of the 'Icelandic Sagas'. Snaefellsnes is perhaps best known for the volcano 'Snaefellsjokull'. Jules Verne, in his classic 'Journey to the Centre of the Earth', describes this as the start point for the characters' descent. New Age followers consider this area to be one of the earth's seven major energy centres. We head to our accommodation, located on the southern side of the peninsula, with great views over Snaefellsjokull.

Meals included:
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner

Day 11

The exposed coast of the west side of Snaefellsnes is the goal for today, and this area has recently been designated a National Park. We visit sea cliffs swarming with birds, sites of old shipwrecks in the black basaltic sand. We learn about the old cod-fishing methods from open boats in the bountiful seas, and towering above us is the volcano - Snaefellsjokull. The day ends in the warm mineral water of Lysuholl swimming pool.

Meals included:
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner

Day 12

Heading back towards Reykjavik a short journey brings us close to Eldborg Crater, an interesting 1-2 hour walk from the road. Climbing to its low rim gives excellent views on a clear day. We aim to be in Reykjavik around mid-afternoon.

Meals included:
Breakfast
Lunch

Day 13

A tour of the volcanic Reykjanes Peninsula. Here two tectonic plates meet to form the North Atlantic Ridge. In the middle of one of the 'fissure swarms' is the famous Blue Lagoon where we enjoy a soak in the thermal waters, mud, and steam. We visit the fishing village Grindavik on the south coast of Reykjanes, before continuing to the dramatic landscape of the south-westernmost tip of the peninsula where the first lighthouse in Iceland was built, and now the site of the most recent geothermal power station. We explore the hot springs, including one of the largest mud pools in the country. Travelling further along the southern coast of the peninsula we take in the Krisuvik hot spring area and lake Kleifarvatn.

Meals included:
Breakfast
Lunch

Day 14

A free day for further optional activities or exploring Reykjavik on your own. The town centre is within walking distance of the hotel, and there are plenty of cafés to sit in and relax. There are a number of activities and excursions available from Reykjavik, the guide will explain these during the tour, and we strongly suggest you book these (through your guide) before your return to Reykjavik. Possibilities include further whale watching and horse riding. The evening offers the chance to sample the city's busy nightlife.

Essential Info

Visas

Iceland

No visa required for British passport holders.

Vaccinations

Iceland

There are no specific health risks.

Eating and Drinking

All breakfasts, 11 lunches and 8 dinners are included.

Breakfasts are mainly continental style, lunches are generally picnics and the main meal of the day is usually local fish or lamb specialities, plus European standards such as pasta, chicken etc. Vegetarians and those with special dietary requirements can be catered for, but may get a little less variety in the meals provided. Please advise us of any special requirements at the time of booking.

Weather

Iceland is on the northern edge of the temperate zone, meaning it has cool summers. Daytime temperatures in the summer months can be anything from 10º to 20ºC, though in 2008 they reached 25ºC and could equally drop close to zero. As we are in a mountain area you must be prepared for some days of poor weather with strong winds and rain, but usually the weather is quite pleasant, though cool. There is constant daylight, but not midnight sun, in May, June and July.

Is this trip for you?

This trip is graded level 1, leisurely.Much of this trip is touring by small bus, with plenty of stops to visit the highlights detailed in the itinerary, and optional walks and activities. We use a comfortable bus, ruggedly built to Icelandic standards and able to cope with most types of terrain, including fording glacial rivers. Some roads in Iceland are paved, particularly around the towns, but many of the country roads are graded gravel and can be dusty and rough.Accommodation in Iceland is expensive and often very basic. Those well-travelled clients will find the comparison with similarly priced accommodations in mainland Europe to be disappointing. However, we source good quality guesthouses and hotels on the itinerary to provide the best possible value for our groups.

Accommodation

Hotels & Guesthouses

This tour is based on a mixture of hotels and simple guesthouses. As with everything in Iceland accommodation is very expensive, so we have tried to choose places with prices that allow us to keep the holiday affordable. Starting out in a comfortable Reykjavik hotel with en suite facilities, the accommodation on this trip consists of twin rooms, although single rooms are also available.

You will however, be required to share facilities on some nights. While we pre-book all accommodation according to the itinerary, as space is limited we may move to alternative accommodation according to availability. In rural areas of Iceland, where hotel accommodation is scarce, there are a number of 'seasonal hotels'.
These may be day schools, boarding schools or social centres that offer good standard tourist accommodation for the summer months only.

A limited number of single rooms are available, at a supplement on a strictly first come first served basis. Please contact our sales team for details.

Reviews

Iceland Circumnavigation Aug 2016

Good overall tour encompassing Iceland's main areas. Iceland is an expensive country and some parts of the tour were quite basic versus high cost. Would recommend that you visit Iceland as it is surprisingly greener than you think.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

1. The sheer scale of the the geology
2. Aurora Borealis at Godafoss

What did you think of your group leader?

Rakel Jonsdottir was excellent. Very knowledgeable, organised and spoke clearly in English. Loved her Trolls and Elves, oh and must not forget the sheep!!!

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Try and select a better class of accommodation as the guest house type offered was quite basic, verging on the backpacker type. Please note though the accommodation was spotlessly clean and in very good order.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Weather can be very changeable one minute sunny with blue sky, the next torrential rain but that is to be expected in an island in the far North. It certainly added atmospheric mood to the sky in the photos.

Grand Tour of Iceland - Fire and Ice

Since the eruption of Eyjafjallajokull in 2010, tourism has boomed in Iceland, and the Icelanders have embraced it. The affection Icelanders have for their country is obvious. There is a very relaxed and welcoming vibe in this land of few stop signs and many yields.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Having read some sagas before the trip, I was fascinated by Thingveillir and where the law rock might have been found. I had been unable to visualize the fault but had several opportunities to explore it over the course of the trip. And actually walking on an old lava flow at Leirhnjukur with steam rising through the rocks and lava fingers reaching out over the landscape was an incredible experience. These are just a few of many inspiring moments.

What did you think of your group leader?

Rakel was a true ambassador for her country. She inspired and educated us with her stories and language lessons as we drove. Her demeanour was calm even in the face of difficulties (e.g., dead bus battery) which were handled almost immediately even in remote areas. Rakel livened up our al fresco lunches by intruducing local breads, meats and cheeses and how Icelanders would combine them. She found sheltered places for us to eat on wet or windy days and used her extensive local knowledge and personal network to make sure we saw all that Iceland has to offer. On a long day of driving, Rachel shared her own collection of plant and geology books with us to help pass the time.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Be prepared to dress for 3 seasons of weather on any given day. We chased glaciers in the rain yet had a very worthwhile experience. Don't let the prices of things dampen your spirit of adventure - your photos and memories come free of charge! Yes we had several nights of shared facilities but every place we stayed at was scrupulously clean and I will remember the delightfully quirky spots long after I have forgotten the standard hotels.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

I would have appreciated an opportunity to interact with an Icelandic family, perhaps lunch or dinner at one of the fabulous farms we saw named along the roads. We had an unplanned fish and chip lunch at a restaurant that was a pleasant change from our picnic lunches - perhaps one or two of these could be planned into the schedule. If you try the chocolate covered licorice and you like it - take one more bag home than you think you will need, and yes, Skyr can be bought in Canada!

A Great exploration of a beautiful country

Certainly a very complete tour of Iceland, I felt we explored a lot of the country, really only missing the far northwest. So much to explore, great waterfalls (AFW), areas of previous volcanic activity, wildlife, sea landscapes, new foods, a unique language, geothermic areas.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

The recent volcanic activity left old lava fields that allowed you to visualize what the lava looked like as it flowed. My old geology classes came alive.
The geothermic activity and the way Icelanders have harnessed it was fascinating.
How unique Iceland is, so far north but a country that has embrassed what this unique environment gives them.

What did you think of your group leader?

Great, Rakel was so adaptable to changes we wanted, to finding us covered areas to picnic by calling friends of friends, taking us to unique places not on itinerary, buying unique Icelandic foods for our picnic lunches everyday. She also noted people who needed extra help at certain times, she was great.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Weather can be cool, cloudy and rainy. Some long drives! Shared bathrooms in quite a few residences, rooms basic but I was impressed how very clean everything was. Virtually everyone speaks English, little cash needed because many meals included and everyone takes credit cards. Keep change (1-200 Kr) for toilet use. VERY EXPENSIVE when buying meals on your own or for excursions.
Lunches are picnic style, everyone helps, the meals can get a bit repetitive but our guide tried to vary the food we had. I would suggest a group hot meal would be could for a couple of lunches, take out or simple restaurant.
No tipping expected allow we did tip our guide.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

I would suggest you go if you can, the exodus tours offers a very complete look at Iceland
And very good value considering the high cost of living in Iceland.

Superb tour of a magnificent country

Many people are put off travelling to Iceland by its reputation as an expensive country. While it's not cheap, it more than repays you in its stunning landscapes, fascinating geological history, abundance of birdlife and wonderful food. This trip is certainly worth the investment as you get to explore beyond the tourist laden 'Golden Circle' and see more remote parts of the country with an expert guide in tow. If you have any doubts, put them aside and book. You won't be sorry!

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

There really are far too many to choose from but walking on a glacier (not exactly pristine or the 'blue' ice they show you in photographs) but still stunning, taking a boat trip round the glacial lagoon (don't let people talk you out of taking the boat trip, it's worth it to see some of the huge icebergs further out) and horse riding around the fjords near Akureryi were all well worth the money. However, even if you don't do these optional extra trips then just driving and walking through this stunning landscape provides inspiration enough.

What did you think of your group leader?

We were lucky enough to have Hoskuldor (Hoskie) as our guide, driver, picnic-maker, geology and birdlife expert. He was tireless in his efforts to make sure we had the best trip possible and did everything with incredible good humour and a wicked laugh. His knowledge of and enthusiasm for his home country was exceptional and infectious and he made sure even those with only the basic grasp of geology understood what we were seeing.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Be prepared for all types of weather - we were lucky enough to have some exceptionally sunny days but having a waterproof is an absolute must (especially when venturing near a waterfall, where it's also a good idea to have a towel to wipe down your camera lens).
Don't be too put off by the idea of shared facilities in some of the accommodation (which in several places are boarding schools used as hotels when the school term has finished). While sharing bathrooms isn't ideal, the rooms are usually spacious and clean and extra towels/pillows are easy to get if asked for.
Take more money than you think you need (especially if you want to use the swimming pools/hot pots as they do cost quite a bit) but be prepared to be tempted to spend it all on great food and some lovely Icelandic gifts to bring home.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

A great trip round a lovely country - I'm just hoping Exodus add a few more trips to different parts of the country as I'd love to see more of it!

Grand Tour of Iceland

This trip was even better than the Trip Notes suggested, largely due to the very high quality of our tour leaders. We had much better weather than expected, and the accommodation was (with one exception) far better than we had envisaged.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Hard to say - the whole trip was amazing, and every day brought new and positive experiences. We will particularly remember the horse-riding, the walks and drives amongst spectacular scenery, the visit to the geothermal power station, the fantastic fresh and delicious food, and the expert guiding.

What did you think of your group leader?

We had 2 leaders, both excellent. Huski, who was with us for the majority of the trip was a mine of information. He was well organised, an excellent driver, and great fun to be with. We learnt a tremendous amount about the geology, birdlife, and flora of Iceland from both leaders.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Make sure you are well equipped for changes in the weather. We experienced hot & sunny, wet, cold, windy and dull, so layering was really important. The waterfall spray can make you very wet, and walking boots are useful on uneven lava flows. There are few opportunities to wash clothes en route unless they are very quick-drying.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

This has to be one of the great trips of our lifetimes. It didn't disappoint in any way.

Amazing Iceland

Iceland is every photographers dream with its incredible scenery, active volcanoes, geothermal features, geysers, glaciers and many waterfalls. The distances a quite long here and the attractions plentiful so you need at least two weeks and preferably more to truly appreciate and take in the beauty of this amazing country.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Viewing Jokulsarlon Ice Lagoon was a 'wow' and inspirational moment where you see so many icebergs in an incredibly beautiful lagoon, surrounded by black lava hills and Europe's largest glacier - Vatnajokull. It was a truly special experience.
We also saw the northern lights twice on our tour which were spectacular and amazing. I had never seen northern lights before and was awed by their beauty. It was certainly a highlight of this trip.

What did you think of your group leader?

Our Guide was David Kelley who is originally from England but has lived in Iceland for a long time. He spoke perfect Icelandic and was very knowledgeable about Iceland's history, geography, people and culture. He took great care of our group and was a very nice person to be around.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

If you really want to see & photograph puffins in Iceland then go before mid August as most Puffins disappear around mid August. I went on a tour which started in the late August and ended in mid September. Most of the puffins had already left by that time but we were lucky to still spot some Puffins.
If witnessing northern lights is more important to you than watching Puffins then going there in the end of the season makes more sense. The best time to see northern lights typically strarts in mid September but our guide said that the lights started as early as August this year. We were lucky to see Northern lights twice during our tour and they were mesmerizing.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

This is a comprehensive tour of Iceland which covers all major regions of this beautiful country with the exception of the West Fjords region, which for some reason, wasn't included on this tour.

Iceland - what a place!!

This is a comprehensive tour of Iceland, taking in all of the tourist sites and much more besides, including some hidden gems off the well beaten track.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Seeing and photographing puffins for the first time, despite the wind and rain. Also visiting Harpa in Reykjavik, a wonderful piece of architecture with astonishing photo opportunites

What did you think of your group leader?

Petur was a very good group leader, and because there were only 9 of us on this trip he was able to offer a more personal touch than otherwise would have been possible.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Apparently we were blessed with "good" weather during our trip, which as I recall started and ended with fine and sunny days but in between we had plenty of wind, cold, rain and cloud with the odd misty patch as well. Take clothing to cover these eventualities and you will be OK.
Also take a microfibre travel towel with you if you intend taking photos of the many waterfalls you'll see, as your lens and camera will get soaked if you are anywhere near the huge amounts of spray that gets in the air. Keep it in your jacket pocket to dry the front of your lens when it gets covered in water droplets.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Be prepared for shared toilet and shower facilities occasionally, as not all rooms will be en-suite. Good quality tourist accommodation outside Reykjavik and Akureyri hasn't yet caught up with demand, and maybe never will, which may not be a bad thing as this is part of Iceland's charm. The hot water will sometimes smell of rotten eggs as it may be sourced directly from underground springs which are sulphurous!!

A quite outstanding tour!

I have been on over 50 tours with Exodus and other adventure travel companies, and this 'Grand Tour of Iceland' is right up there with the very best of them. A key point (agreed by everyone in the group): If you're going to visit Iceland once in your life, do it properly, with a full fortnight's tour of (almost) the whole country, rather than just a short trip to see part of it. Exodus' grand tour takes you right round the Ring Road, enabling you to experience Iceland in its full mind-blowing glory! Everything about this tour was good: incredible scenery, excellent accommodation (far better than I'd expected), great food, a brilliant group of travelling companions, a superb tour leader, and (unusually for Iceland, apparently) even the weather (in June) stayed fine almost all the time we were there.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Every day brought something new and different as regards scenery, terrain and experiences. Hard to chose the 'most inspirational': a toss-up between the stunning black beaches of the south coast, the lovely Jokulsarlon (glacier lagoon) and celebrating the midnight sun setting and rising again in Skulagardur.

What did you think of your group leader?

Young Icelandic tour leader Orri was absolutely great in every respect, and his picnic lunches were gastronomic feasts.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Grand tour of Iceland

My previous Exodus trip had been to India, a country that delivers an assault on your sense.
Iceland did the same, but in the opposite direction. It was cold and windy, clean and fresh. The landscape was predominately monochrome.You could see for miles and when you stopped talking you heard only water, wind, birds and the odd sheep.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

The landscape, it felt like a different planet. It never stopped to amaze and enchant.

What did you think of your group leader?

Confident tour leader with extensive local knowledge.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Be prepared for cold and changeable weather. Temperature charts are not enough to go by, there is a considerable wind chill factor.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Grand Tour of Iceland

Overall it was an interesting trip, seeing some strange and wonderful sites
A lot colder than we first thought it would be this time of year, but Iceland is about a month behind in its weather. A few of the roads we needed to use were still closed, so had to do long round trips to get sack on track in a few places.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Can't say as there were too many to mention! What with stunning waterfalls snow capped mountains lava fields.
Myths and legends cool place to visit.

What did you think of your group leader?

David Kelley, well what can I say; he could be a laugh, knowledgeable about the areas we travelled, would help others as and when was appropriate!

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Yes, the Blue Lagoon was a bit of a let down after all the hype about it, we came across a better one in the north near Myvatn far less crowded unless you like being a sardine!

Is there anything else you would like to add?

On the whole this was a great trip well worth doing, plenty to see and do with lots of differing activities right round the island. Good work Exodus

Dates & Prices

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An overview of flight options

Exodus is committed to making joining our tours as easy as possible, wherever you live. We generally only block book seats from London, but this certainly does not mean that you need to fly from there. Depending on the route and airlines available, there will usually be various options available for those who want to fly from their local airport.

This page aims to provide a useful overview of the options available to our clients. However, the best flight arrangements should be tailored to your personal requirements, so please contact our Sales team for expert advice.

What kind of options do I have ?

1. We can book for you: Flights from anywhere in the world - not via London

Depending on the route, this may be direct or via an overseas hub like Amsterdam, the Middle East or elsewhere. On short haul routes there may be direct flights with low cost airlines, charter flights or scheduled airlines. Exodus can book most, but not all, of these for you. The most appropriate airline may be different to that which we use for the group flight from London, but many people now travel on different airlines and meet up with their fellow passengers at the destination.

Pros

Cons

May be the most direct route

Often the extra fare compared to the London flight is minimal.

As you will be in the hands a single airline for your entire journey, the airline will be responsible for your bags and your connections.

You may not be able to join the group transfers. However, we can usually arrange private transfers, or book your flights to try and coincide with the group transfers. See notes on transfer arrangements below.

2. We can book for you: Connecting flights from your local airport to London

Exodus can book connecting flights to London so you can join the group flight there. Connecting times will be followed according to airline advice, or as requested by clients. There are two types of fares we can use for this option: a 'through-fare' or a 'published fare'.

a) A 'through-fare' is where you will be in the main airline's care throughout. You change planes, but your bags are checked all the way through to your final destination.

b) A 'published fare' ticket is completely seperate from your onward ticket from London. It is usually cheaper than a through-fare but will need to be paid for and issued as soon as it is booked. This can be a problem if your tour has not yet reached minimum numbers. On 'published fares' neither airline is aware that you have connecting flights, so Exodus is responsible for timing your connection, not the airlines involved. The tickets are also usually non changeable and non refundable.

Pros

Cons

Depending on the fare type, Exodus or the airline is responsible for flight connections.

Through fare tickets can be expensive.

On a published fare, tickets must be issued immediately; tickets on published fares can be very difficult to change if onward flight times change; bags are not checked though to your final destination.

Published fares are non-refundable.

3. Booking some or all of the flights yourself

You can also book connecting air travel yourself, either to London, or all the way to the start point. There may be certain airlines or routes we don't have access to, so this is always an option. However, if you make your own travel arrangements you become liable for any delays, cancellations or missed connections, and Exodus is not required to offer refunds if you have trouble reaching the start of your trip.

Pros

Cons

You might find cheaper fares, or routes not available to Exodus.

You are responsible for any delays or missed connections, and the cost of the tour is not protected should you miss your flight be cancelled.

Notes on transfer arrangements

Sometimes it is possible to travel on a different airline to the group flight from London. Where this is the case, we need to think about ensuring you meet up with the group with minimum extra cost and hassle.

On certain trips, it is easy to arrive on a different flight and still meet the group at the hotel with time in hand. We can usually arrange private transfers (at extra cost) or offer advice on taking a taxi to the start hotel.

On other trips (especially in Europe), the transfer meets the group flight and then travels some distance to the first night's accommodation. Where this is the case, our Sales team will try to arrange flights that arrive before (and depart after) the group. However, we do have to make it clear in your final documentation that if your flights are delayed, the transfer cannot wait for you. While Exodus or our local operators will do what we can to help you reach the start point of the tour, any additional costs must be paid by the client.

Next steps?

Not found the date you’re looking for? We can organise this itinerary as aPrivate Adventure– just click on the tab above the list of dates and prices, let us know your preferred dates of travel and how many people are travelling, and we’ll do the rest!

Many of the flights and flight-inclusive holidays on this website are financially protected by the ATOL scheme. But ATOL protection does not apply to all holiday and travel services listed on this website. Please ask us to confirm what protection may apply to your booking. If you do not receive an ATOL Certificate then the booking will not be ATOL protected. If you do receive an ATOL Certificate but all the parts of your trip are not listed on it, those parts will not be ATOL protected. Please see our booking conditions for information, or for more information about financial protection and the ATOL Certificate go to: www.atol.org.uk/ATOLCertificate If you book arrangements other than an ATOL protected flight or a package holiday, the financial protection referred to above does not apply. Our ATOL number is 2582 and our ABTA number is Y0751.

The Foreign & Commonwealth Office and the NHS has up-to-date advice on staying safe and healthy abroad. For more on security, local laws, plus passport and visa information, see https://travelaware.campaign.gov.uk